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  • From: "Toni Hawryluk" <tonihawr AT msn.com>
  • To: "Homestead mailing list" <homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [Homestead] criminal contempt ?
  • Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 17:06:10 -0800

Sure is, for the criminal under that black robe up there on the dais...



http://famulus.msnbc.com/famulusgen/ap11-24-162320.asp?t=apnew&vts=112420041640<http://famulus.msnbc.com/famulusgen/ap11-24-162320.asp?t=apnew&vts=112420041640>



Lawyers for reporter convicted of contempt say health problems should spare
him a lengthy sentence

By ELIZABETH ZUCKERMAN
ASSOCIATED PRESS

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Nov. 24 - Lawyers for a TV reporter convicted of criminal
contempt for refusing to name a source asked Wednesday that he be sentenced
to less than 30 days of home confinement, citing concerns over his health.



Jim Taricani of WJAR has had a heart transplant and takes medication to keep
his body from rejecting the heart, the court filings said. A heart transplant
specialist said in a letter to U.S. District Judge Ernest Torres that
Taricani could also be at risk of infection and undue stress in prison. <>


In addition, Taricani suffers kidney problems and high blood pressure and has
a pacemaker, the filings said.


Taricani faces up to six months behind bars. Sentencing is set for Dec. 9.


Barry Weiner, chief U.S. probation officer in Providence, responded by saying
that Taricani would likely be placed in a chronic care clinic in the prison
system, where he could be monitored. If he were assigned to the federal
medical facility in Ayers, Mass., he could see kidney and cardiac transplant
specialists at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center.


But in his letter, Taricani's doctor said that medical center does not have a
cardiac transplant program.


Taricani was convicted last Thursday after refusing to disclose how he
acquired a video of a former mayoral aide accepting a bribe. The tape was
part of the federal government's corruption case against former Providence
Mayor Vincent ''Buddy'' Cianci and others.


Taricani is one of several journalists nationwide who are locked in First
Amendment battles with the government over confidential sources.


Taricani said on NBC's ''Today'' show Wednesday that he thinks the First
Amendment is vital to the public's right to know.


''I don't feel I'm above the law. I don't know any reporter that does feel
that they're above the law. What we feel is that we are doing what the
framers of our Constitution would want us to do. We are the watchdogs for the
public,'' he said.



© 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.





  • [Homestead] criminal contempt ?, Toni Hawryluk, 11/24/2004

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